Crime & Safety
Fireworks Lead to DUI Arrest for Newark Man in Half Moon Bay
Deputies were responding to reports of gunshots that turned out to be fireworks set off by a suspected drunken driver from his car.
What initially was thought to be a gunshot fired from a car early Saturday morning in Half Moon Bay was actually a firework set off by a man later arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
At 3:48 a.m. Saturday, sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a suspect discharging a firearm outside his vehicle in the 100 block of Poplar Street, adjacent to Poplar Beach.
Deputies later discovered it was one of the fireworks that 25-year-old Daniel Moran, of Newark, admitted to setting off, sheriff’s officials said.
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Deputies also determined he was driving under the influence of alcohol, sheriff’s officials added.
Deputies had identified Moran’s car as the suspect vehicle after an interview with the reporting party, sheriff’s officials said.
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Moran denied firing a gun, but said he set off fireworks. No weapons were found in his vehicle, sheriff’s officials said.
Because of his alleged intoxication, he was arrested and taken to First Chance, an alternative to jail for some DUI cases.
--Bay City News Service, photo via Shutterstock
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